Newport RFC have booked their place in the Super Rygbi Cup final after a thriller of a Gwent derby at Rodney Parade against Ebbw Vale.
The Black and Ambers secured their spot after extra time on Sunday, a day after Pontypool were within seconds of a big away win against Llandovery, only to be denied with the final kick of the game.
A try each from Dragons Harri Ackerman and Jac Lloyd secured a highscoring 48-34 win for the Black and Ambers after the sides had been all square after 80 minutes.
Alongside Ackerman and Lloyd, Newport had Dragons Cerrig Smith, Tiehi Chatham and Noah Morgan in their 23.
Newport started the game brilliantly with two tries in the opening 20 minutes from Dafydd Buckland and Josh Skinner, both converted from fly-half Lloyd before Ebbw levelled the game in the 31st minute with two scores of their own from Dylan Edwards and former Dragon Jonathan Evans with Tom Price adding the extras.
The Steelmen took the lead with a 37th minute penalty kick slotted by Price again, making it a three point game into the half time break.
It didn’t take long for Newport to get back out in front with a try scored by Morgan Williams and the conversion added by Lloyd, before the Dragons fly-half extended the lead with a penalty.
The Black and Ambers added a try 14 minutes later with Harry Fry getting his name on the scoresheet.
In the last 15 minutes Ebbw fought back with a brace of converted tries from centre Ethan Phillips and a Price penalty, either side of a try for Newport centre Harrison James.
That meant the score was level at 34-all at the end of 80 minutes, with the semi-final headed to extra time.
Ackerman once again proved the match winner for Newport with Lloyd adding a try and two conversions in extra time, taking his match total 18 points.
“I’m immensely proud of how the players are digging deep for this Black and Amber jersey right now to grind out results,” said Newport head coach Ty Morris.
“Today saw two strong, committed teams go at it from the first minute right through to the last. Both sides gave everything.
“Of course, we were disappointed with aspects of our performance in the opening 80 minutes, but this group is so connected and willing to put their bodies on the line for each other.
“That’s what makes it so special to watch – I’m very proud of this group.”
Meanwhile, eight Dragons - Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Sam Scarfe, Ryan Jones, Morgan Lloyd, Ewan Rosser, Huw Anderson, Logan Franklin and Harri Ford - were all involved in Pontypool’s squad for their game against Llandovery.
Taking on the reigning champions Llandovery at their home at Church Bank, Pontypool came within seconds of a final spot.
Pontypool took an early away lead with a penalty kick by fly-half Kieran Meek before Llandovery’s Harri Doel squeezed over in the corner for a try which outside half Ioan Hughes converted.
Pooler led into the interval following a try for number eight Morgan Allen with captain Meek adding the conversion.
Early into the second half Llandovery retook the lead when Evan Sheldon offloaded to fly-half Hughes who converted his score to make it a four-point game.
Another three penalties extended the Drovers’ lead to 13 points with just 20 minutes to go.
Deep into the second half, Pontypool scored two tries, the first from Dragons’ Ewan Rosser before a break from Ryan Jones helped set up Huw Anderson with Harri Ford kicking both conversions to give Pooler a one-point lead.
However in the dying seconds Llandovery were awarded a penalty, with Hughes making no mistake from 38 metres out.
The results means that Newport will face the reigning champions Llandovery in the final to be played at the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday the 7th of March, KO 5.30pm.
Newport RFC: Carwyn Penny; Fin Baker, Harri Ackerman, Harrison James, Morgan Williams; Jac Lloyd, Dafydd Buckland; Tom Devine, Henry Palmer, Garin Harris, Cerrig Smith, Josh Skinner, Hunter Ward, Josh Reid, Ben Roach (captain).
Replacements: Wade Langley, Harry Fry, Ollie Drake, Kyle Tayler, Tiehi Catham, Lucus Welch, Tom Hoppe, Noah Morgan.
Ebbw Vale RFC - TBC
Pontypool RFC: Huw Anderson; Ewan Rosser, Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney, Carrick Mcdonough; Kieran Meek, Morgan Lloyd; Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Sam Scarfe, Owen Popple, Joe Davies, Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Ryan Jones, Morgan Allen.
Replacements: Jake Wisniewski, Aneurin James, Kyan Best, Buster Bodkin, Marcus Jones, Logan Franklin, Harri Ford, Ioan Evans
